Air moistener for internal-combustion engines



Feb. 28, 1928.

B. B. BRIGGS AIR MOISTENER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed July 9, 1926 Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

warren STATES htttAlil' PATENT on:

BURDETT B. BRIGGS, or cHIoAeo, ILLINOIS.

Application filed July 9,

This invention relates to internal combustion engines and carburetors therefor.

More especially the mventionrelates to an air moistener for internal combustion engines, this application being a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 9%,549 filed March 13, 1926.

One important object ofthe invention is the provision of an improved means formoistening the air taken into the carbureter, the means contemplating an improved arrangement of connection between the top of the radiator and theair intake pipe, the arrangement being without water legs to interfere with direct flow.- 7

A second important object of the invention is to provide a connection of the foregoing' character in combination with a water trap being so arranged that nothing but moist air will pass through the air intake, water, as such, being caught by the trap and drained off the air intake.

WVith the above and other objects in view 9 as will be hereinafter apparent,the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicatelike parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1- is a side elevation, partly in section showing a portion of the engine space of an automobile and disclosing the engine, radiator and other parts and showing the improved moistener arrangement in connection therewith.

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section disclosing a portion of the air intake pipe, the moist air pipe and the water trap.

Figure 3 is-a similar view of an overflow relief device used in connection with the invention.

Figure & is a front elevation of the the invention shown in Figure 3.

In the invention as here shown there is disclosed an automobile engine 10.to the water jacket of which is connected the usual radiator 11 having a filling neck 12 provided with a closure cap 13. The engine is equipped with a carbureter 1430f any preferred make and has an air intake pipe 15 receiving air from a sleeve 16 surrounding the exhaust pipe 17 and having an opening 18 therein for the admission of air. 'The parts, as so part of 1926. Serial No. 121.4472.

far described are like those found on most automobile engines of the internal combustion type.-

However, the air intake pipe 15 is provided at its top with ashort nipple 19 threaded externally and having its opening terminating in a frusto-conical seat for the frusto-conical upper end of a small pipe 20. Below the nipple 19 the pipe 15 is provided with an inverted frusto-conical well 21. having its lower and smaller end inclined to an angle to the horizontal and provided with a flap valve-'22 pivoted to the well at the highest portionof its bottomend so that any water caught in the well will run down from the pivot or hinge toward the free'edge of Y the valve. This valve is normally held closed by a counterweight 23 preferably formed integrally with the valve.

On the nipple 19 is screwed a union sleeve 24; which has a frusto-conical seat at its lower end to hold the frusto-conical end of a moisture supply pipe 25 which extends through the rear wall, of the radiator and bends upwardly to terminate in the filling neck 12 above the normal water level of the radiator. Just behind the radiator a branch pipe or "overflow pipe 26 extends downwardly from the pipe 25 and terminates at its lower end in an elbow 27 having an inclined flanged end 28 whereon rests a check valve 29 held from detachment from theelbow by-pins 30 which are so arranged that, if water overflows from the radiator it will pass down the pipe 26, lift the valve 29 and escape but suction exerted onthe air in the pipe 25 under the usual running conditions will close this valve so that the moist air from the top of the radiator will be all that passes down the pipe 25'. Of course, if any water, either but the vapor will increase as the engine is heated up so that it is delivered to the carbureter or engine when most needed and most eflective. The device is of great simplicity,

requiring no water cook or shut-off valve, no

preheater and no manually operative levers herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed. i

aviiig thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. The combination with an internal combustion engine having a radiator and carbure'tei"; of an air intake pipe leading totthe carbiire'tr, a moisture supply pipe leading froin the upper top part of the radiatorto the air intake pipe at the top thereof and extending downwardly therein, and a water trap below thelowr end of the moisture pipe to receive water therefrom.

2.- The combination with an internal combustion engine having a radiator and carbureteri of an air intake pipe leading to the carbureter, a moisture s'uqaply' pipe leading from theupp'er toppart of the radiator to the air intake pipeat the top thereofand 6X71 tending downwardly therein, a well in the" bottom of said air intake pipe beneath the loweifl end of thenioistur'e pipe, a valve closing the lower end of said well, andineans normally holding the valve closed.

3, The coiiibihfatioiiwith an internal coinbustion engine having a radiator and carburetei; ofa moisture passageway leading" from within the upper part of the radiator to the carburetei air intake extending downward therein, and means attaching the passageway to the carbureter and to the radiator.

4:. The combination with an internal combustion engine havin a radiator and carbureteri of an air int'a l re pipe leading to the carbureter, a moisture supply pipe leading from the upper top part of the radiator to the air intake pipe at the top thereof and extending downwardly therein, a water trap below the lower end of the moisture pipe to receive water therefrom, and an overflow pipe leading downwardly from the supply pipe and terminating in an outwardly open-s g he ve-1 a a 1 i i a '5, The combination with an internal combustion engine having a radiator and carbureter; of an air intake pipe leading to the carbureter, a moisture supply pipe leading from the upper toppart of the radiator to the air intake pipe at the top thereofand eX- tending downwardly therein; a well in the bottom of said air intake pipe beneath the lower end of themoisturepipe, a valve elosing the lower end of said Well, means normally holding the valve closed andan overflow pipe leading downwardly from the supply pipe and terminating-in an outwardly openin c 1801; valve,

6, T e combination with an internal combustion engine having a radiator and carbureter; of a moisture passageway leading from within the upper part of the radiator tothe carbureter air intake and extending downwardly therein, means attaching the passageway to the carbureter and to theradiator, and an overflow pipe leading down wardly from the moisture passagewayand terminating 1n an outwar y opening check valve. p, 1 i

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.-

BURDETT B. BRIGGS, 

